More than just a temple, it has a long history.

Karnak Temple is one of the most magnificent and complex temple complexes in ancient Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt (ancient Thebes). It was one of the most important religious centers during the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt (approximately 16th century BC to 11th century BC), mainly used to worship the god Amun. --- ### 1. Grand Scale - Karnak Temple is one of the largest ancient religious complexes in the world, covering an area of over 100 hectares. - The temple complex consists of several parts, including the Temple of Amun (the main temple), the Temple of Mut (Amun's wife), and the Temple of Khonsu (Amun's son), as well as many smaller temples and ancillary buildings. --- ### 2. Hypostyle Hall - The most famous part of Karnak Temple is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which consists of 134 giant stone columns. - The 12 central columns are 21 meters high and over 3 meters in diameter, with their tops carved in the shape of papyrus flowers, symbolizing the plants along the Nile River. - The walls and columns of the Hypostyle Hall are covered with exquisite reliefs and hieroglyphs depicting the pharaohs' achievements and religious rituals. --- ### 3. Obelisks - There are several obelisks within the temple, the most famous of which is the obelisk erected by Queen Hatshepsut, about 29 meters high, one of the tallest obelisks still standing in Egypt. - Obelisks are usually carved from a single piece of granite, symbolizing the rays of the sun god Ra. --- ### 4. Sacred Lake - There is a large sacred lake within the temple, used for the purification of priests and religious rituals. - The sacred lake is a typical feature of ancient Egyptian temples, symbolizing the source of life and sacred cleansing. --- ### 5. Avenue of Sphinxes - There is a 3-kilometer-long Avenue of Sphinxes between Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, lined with hundreds of sphinxes. - These statues symbolize the protective power of Amun, connecting the two temples and forming a sacred passage. --- ### 6. Rich Reliefs and Inscriptions - The walls, columns, and statues of the temple are covered with exquisite reliefs and hieroglyphs, recording the pharaohs' achievements, religious rituals, and interactions with the gods. - These reliefs and inscriptions provide valuable information for the study of ancient Egyptian history, religion, and culture. --- ### 7. Contributions of Many Pharaohs - The construction and expansion of Karnak Temple lasted for over 2,000 years, from the Old Kingdom period to the Ptolemaic dynasty. - Many famous pharaohs, such as Thutmose III, Ramses II, and Queen Hatshepsut, made significant contributions to the construction of the temple. --- ### 8. Combination of Religion and Astronomy - The layout of the temple is closely related to astronomy. For example, the main axis is oriented towards the sunrise on the summer solstice, symbolizing the union of the sun god and Amun. - The design and decoration of the temple reflect the ancient Egyptians' worship of the cosmos and the gods. --- ### 9. Sound and Light Show - Modern visitors can enjoy the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show at night, learning about the history and myths of the temple through a combination of light and sound, and experiencing the mysterious atmosphere of ancient Egypt. Karnak Temple is an outstanding representative of ancient Egyptian civilization. Its grand scale, exquisite architecture, and rich cultural connotations demonstrate the remarkable achievements of ancient Egypt in religion, art, and architecture. It is not only a religious building but also an important witness to ancient Egyptian history and culture, attracting countless tourists and scholars to explore.